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AGENDA
Planning & Development Committee Regular Meeting
3:15 PM - Monday, September 14, 2020
Video-conference
1. Docket #15
a) D-176 Self Service Storage
b) Daycare Fees
c) D-178 Standalone Solar
d) D-179 CD Zone
e) D-175 Great Houses
f) D-181 ADU Amendments
g) D-182 SEPA Appeals
h) Planning Commission Briefing
2. Emerging Issues in CED
DOCKET #176:
SELF-SERVICE STORAGE IN COMMERCIAL ZONES
Planning & Development Committee
August 10, 2020
Presented by: Paul Hintz, Senior Planner
425-430-7436
phintz@rentonwa.gov AGENDA ITEM #1. a)
PROPOSAL
D-176 requested by Economic Development Division of CED
Currently, within commercial zones self-service storage facilities are only allowed as part
of a mixed-use development in the Commercial Neighborhood (CN) and Commercial
Arterial (CA) zones by Conditional Use Permit issued by the Hearing Examiner.
Staff propose to prohibit self-service storage:
in the Commercial Neighborhood zone:
from properties at arterial roadway intersections;
and
from the City Center Community Planning Area.
Staff also propose to better define the standards by
which these facilities may be incorporated into a
mixed-use development. BACKGROUND
AGENDA ITEM #1. a)
BACKGROUND
Comprehensive Plan Policy -CN Zone: “Zone lands Commercial Neighborhood
(CN) that provide goods and services on a small-scale to a surrounding residential
neighborhood and that front on a street classified as a Principal arterial, Minor arterial, or
Collector. The CN zone implements the Residential High Density land use designation.”
Goal 2.1 of the City Center Community Plan: “2.1 Continue to support
opportunities to create a more vibrant City Center where people live, work, learn, and
play. In order to foster a City Center that is vibrant, new opportunities that attract
people and businesses to the City Center should be sought, and existing efforts to recruit
and retain businesses, to fill vacancies, and create retail opportunities should be
supported. Continue to work with business leaders, property owners, employers, and
employees to better understand their needs and concerns. Continue economic development
efforts, including business retention, expansion, and recruitment strategies to ensure a
dynamic, diversified employment base.”AGENDA ITEM #1. a)
Self-storage is a land use that generates little to no
activity, employment, or tax revenue and tends to
take up large amounts of land and negatively impact
the vitality of commercial corridors.
These facilities tend to be of low-cost construction and
have little maintenance costs and therefore are very
unlikely to redevelop into other uses over time as
rents tend to easily compensate for overhead costs.
Staff propose some prohibited locations and refined
standards because self-storage facilities are not in
keeping with the CN zone’s Comprehensive Plan
policy or the City Center Community Plan’s vision
and goals.
BACKGROUND
AGENDA ITEM #1. a)
BACKGROUND
AGENDA ITEM #1. a)
PROPOSAL
AMEND RMC SO THAT SELF-SERVICE STORAGE IS PROHIBITED:
in the CN zone;
Property within 200’ of intersections with arterial streets; and
within the City Center Community Planning Area.
ADDITIONALLY, IN THE CA ZONE:
1.located within a multistory structure, limited to 40% of the net floor area of the building, and
prohibited within the first 30’ on the ground floor along any street frontage.
2.At a minimum, leasable commercial space, entrances/lobbies, or management offices for the
self-service storage must be provided on the ground floor at a depth of 30' along any street
frontage. Averaging the minimum depth may be permitted through site plan review.
3.All commercial space on the ground floor must have a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 18' and a
minimum clear height of 15' unless a lesser clear height is approved by the Administrator.
4.Exterior colors, including internal corridors or doors visible through windows, must be muted tones.AGENDA ITEM #1. a)
Planning Commission Public Hearing:
September 16, 2020
NEXT STEPS
Staff Contact:
Paul Hintz, Senior Planner
425-430-7436
phintz@rentonwa.gov
Planning Commission Deliberations & Recommendation
October 7, 2020
AGENDA ITEM #1. a)
D-177: REDUCED FEES FOR DAYCARES
BRIEFING TO PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Katie Buchl-Morales, Associate Planner
Long Range Planning Division
August 31, 2020
AGENDA ITEM #1. b)
One time payment by new development for capital costs of facilities needed by new
development.
•Jurisdictions planning under the Growth Management Act are authorized to impose impact fees
for Transportation, Parks, Schools and Fire
–Applies to new development or change of use permit issuance
–May only be used for capital costs of new facilities
IMPACT FEES
•New growth pays a portion of the costs
–Generates revenue for public facilities
–Maintains services levels and quality of life standards
–Reduces financial burden on taxpayers
•Alternatives to paying impact fees
–Raise local taxes
–Reduced services levels
–Deteriorating infrastructure AGENDA ITEM #1. b)
Evaluate current fee structure and transportation impact fee rates on daycare centers.
INTENT
AGENDA ITEM #1. b)
•Impact Fee Rate Study
–Growth forecast
–Established uses and fee amounts
–Considered new uses (2016)
•Impact Fee Rate Adoption
–Daycares, $97.76 per square foot
–Phased over 4-year budget cycle
BACKGROUND
AGENDA ITEM #1. b)
Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Percent of Total Amount
(adopted fee)
n/a 50%50%72%72%100%
Transportation Impact Fee
(price per sq. ft.)
n/a $48.88 $48.88 $70.39 $70.39 $97.76
City of Renton Transportation Impact Fees for Daycares, 2016-2021
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES, DAYCARES
AGENDA ITEM #1. b)
Jurisdictional Comparison: Transportation Impact Fees for Daycares
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES, DAYCARES
Jurisdiction Rate (price per sq. ft., unless otherwise noted)
Sammamish $13.44
Kent Downtown: $16.03, outside downtown: $21.66 (Average: $18.84)
Auburn Downtown: $23.25, outside downtown: $31.42 (Average: $27.33)
Shoreline $36.94 citywide
Redmond Downtown: $54.06, Overlake: $55.93, outside of downtown/Overlake: $66.18
(Average: $58.72)
Kirkland $25.94
SeaTac $43.29
Renton $70.39
North Bend $166.54 AGENDA ITEM #1. b)
Reduce transportation impact fees for daycares to $48.88.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
AGENDA ITEM #1. b)
•Planning Commission Public Hearing: September 16, 2020
•Planning Commission Deliberation and Recommendations: TBD
NEXT STEPS
AGENDA ITEM #1. b)
Katie Buchl-Morales
kbuchl-morales@rentonwa.gov
P: 425-430-6578
QUESTIONS/STAFF CONTACT
AGENDA ITEM #1. b)
DOCKET #178:
SMALL-SCALE STANDALONE
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
Briefing to Planning and Development Committee
September 14, 2020
Alex Morganroth, Senior Planner
425-430-7219
amorganroth@rentonwa.gov AGENDA ITEM #1. c)
BACKGROUND
D-178 requested by Current
Planning Division of CED
Currently, no specific
standards or definitions exist
in RMC related to ground-
mounted (i.e. standalone)
solar energy systems
Few applications to-date, but
expected to increase as
costs decrease
Photo via https://www.palomarsolar.com AGENDA ITEM #1. c)
BACKGROUND
Photo via https://www.solarwa.org/solar_pv
Photo via https://www.palomarsolar.com
Photo via https://www.sunwatts.com
Benefits of Ground-Mounted Systems
Avoids altering/impacting roof
Sun tracking technology = increased efficiency
Secondary uses (i.e. carport or other weather
protection
AGENDA ITEM #1. c)
PROPOSAL
Staff propose to adopt a definition of ground-mounted (i.e.) solar energy systems.
Staff propose to adopt specific standards for ground-mounted (i.e. standalone) solar
energy systems in all zones including:
•Setbacks
•Location
•Maximum height
•Impervious Surface/Building Coverage
Due to fastpace changes in technology and wide range of solar energy systems
available, no specific design standards recommended. Visual impacts and aesthetics
to be mitigated through location and bulk standards.AGENDA ITEM #1. c)
PROPOSAL
Amend RMC to include specific standards for small-scale, standalone solar energy
systems -
Height:Shall not exceed the maximum allowed wallplate height for accessory structures in the zone.
Setbacks:Shall be subject the setback minimums for accessory structures in the zone.
Location:Shall be located in the side or rear yard. Locating in the front yard may be allowed with an
approved Conditional Use Permit.
Impervious Surface/Building Coverage:solar energy systems with grass or another pervious
surface under would be exempted from building coverage or impervious surface calculations. If the
area utilizes pavement or other impervious surface, the area would be included in both calculations.
Amend RMC to include a definition of “Small-scale Standalone Solar Energy System”AGENDA ITEM #1. c)
Planning Commission Deliberation and Recommendation
TBD
NEXT STEPS
Staff Contact:
Alex Morganroth, Senior Planner
425-430-7219
amorganroth@rentonwa.gov
Planning Commission Public Hearing
September 16, 2020
AGENDA ITEM #1. c)
DOCKET #179:
CD ZONE CHANGES
Planning Commission Briefing
September 2, 2020
Presented by: Paul Hintz, Senior Planner
425-430-7436
phintz@rentonwa.gov AGENDA ITEM #1. d)
PROPOSAL
Side and Rear Setbacks for Residential Floors
Parking Facilities
Lobby Space for Standalone Residential
First Floor Height and Refinement of “Flat” Definition
Minimum Density
Staff recommend changes to Center Downtown (CD) zone development standards in
order to better facilitate the vision and goals of the downtown as articulated by the
Comprehensive Plan, Renton Municipal Code, the City Center Community Plan, the Civic
Core Vision and Action Plan, and PSRC’s Regional Growth Center requirements.
SUBJECTS
AGENDA ITEM #1. d)
SIDE AND REAR SETBACKS FOR RESIDENTIAL FLOORS
Currently, the CD zone does not
require a side yard setback or
step-backs for multi-story
buildings.
A rear yard setback is only
required if abutting a residential
zone, in which case a developer
must provide:
either a 15 ft. landscaped strip;
or
a 5 ft. wide sight-obscuring
landscaped strip and a solid 6
ft. high barrier along the
common boundary. AGENDA ITEM #1. d)
SIDE AND REAR SETBACKS FOR RESIDENTIAL FLOORS
Yard Setback/Step-back
Side and Rear (Unless
Along an Alley)
(For Walls Containing
Living Room or
Bedrooms Windows)
First Story: 10 ft.
Second Story: 10 ft.
Third Story: 15 ft.
Fourth Story: 15 ft.
Fifth Story and above: 20 ft. AGENDA ITEM #1. d)
Currently, in the CD zone all parking must be
provided in the rear portion of the site, with
access taken from an alley, when available.
Parking cannot be located in the front yard,
nor in a side yard facing the street nor rear
yard facing the street, or located on the ground
floor of buildings.
PARKING FACILITIES
However, staff wishes to clarify that parking facilities must:
serve a building (not be standalone)
not be between a street and building,
be abutting (within 10 ft.) the sidewalk for buildings situated on or near the sidewalk
(structured parking).AGENDA ITEM #1. d)
LOBBY SPACE FOR STANDALONE RESIDENTIAL
Lobby must be at least 20 ft. in width and min of 50% of facade
Dwelling units on the first floor and within 10 ft. of sidewalk must be at least 2 ft. elevated
above sidewalk grade.AGENDA ITEM #1. d)
FIRST FLOOR HEIGHT AND REFINEMENT OF “FLAT ”
DEFINITION
Currently, the minimum floor-to-ceiling height for the ground floor of all mixed-use
residential buildings is a minimum of 18 ft.
Staff propose a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 12 ft. to ensure appropriate building
massing and continuity with mixed-use buildings.
Additionally, staff recommend amending the definition of “flat” to specify that a common
internal corridor is required. AGENDA ITEM #1. d)
MINIMUM DENSITY
Currently, the CD zone’s minimum density is 25 units/acre, which staff deem to be extremely low.
Staff recommend increasing the minimum density to 75 units/acre.
Administrative relief due to height limitations imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration AGENDA ITEM #1. d)
Public Hearing:
September 16, 2020
NEXT STEPS
Staff Contact:
Paul Hintz, Senior Planner
425-430-7436
phintz@rentonwa.gov
Deliberations & Recommendation
October 7, 2020
AGENDA ITEM #1. d)
DOCKET #180:
VESTING REGULATIONS
Planning Commission Briefing
September 2, 2020
Presented by: Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner
425-430-7312
aweihs@rentonwa.gov AGENDA ITEM #1. e)
BACKGROUND
The goal of this docket item is to narrow the scope of the City’s vesting ordinance.
In Washington, the “vested rights doctrine” (or “vesting”) establishes that certain land
use-related applications will be considered only under the land use-related laws and
regulations in effect at the time that a complete application is submitted.
The vested rights doctrine is codified in statute and local ordinances. AGENDA ITEM #1. e)
CURRENT CODE
Per Renton Municipal Code, Section 4-1-045C.1, vesting occurs with, the filing of a
complete application and permit approvals including and limited to:
a. Building permits (including but not limited to combo permits, grading licenses,
and sign permits);
b. Preliminary plats, final plats, short plats;
c. Shoreline development permits;
d. Conditional use permits; and
e. Any other land use permit application that is specifically identified by the
Washington State legislature as being covered by vested rights doctrine.AGENDA ITEM #1. e)
PROPOSAL AND STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff proposes to amend RMC 4-1-045 by eliminating Shoreline Development Permits and
Conditional Use Permits from the list of applications that vest. AGENDA ITEM #1. e)
NEXT STEPS
Staff Contact:
Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner
425-430-7312
aweihs@rentonwa.gov
Public Hearing:
September 16, 2020
Deliberations & Recommendation
October 7, 2020
AGENDA ITEM #1. e)
DOCKET 15 GROUP B
D-181 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT AMENDMENTS
BRIEFING TO PLANNING COMMISSION
Katie Buchl-Morales, Associate Planner
Long Range Planning Division
kbuchl-morales@rentonwa.gov
425-430-6578 AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
WHAT IS AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU)?
•Backyard cottage, granny flat, mother-in-law
apartment, above garage apartment, carriage
house unit…
•Definition varies by jurisdiction
•Fully independent from the primary residence
AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
•Additional rental income and property value
•Housing for adult children, aging parents, or caregiver
•Increases housing stock for market-rate and affordable housing
•Socio-economic mobility
•Reduced cost
•Supports infill development
•Low impact development
THE MANY BENEFITS OF ADUS
AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
BACKGROUND
•July 2009: ADUs in residential zones
–Owner occupancy
–Architectural compatibility
–ADU Size
•September 2012: ADU Review
–ADU Size: 800 SQ. FT. or 75% of the primary structure
–Height
•October 2017: Fee Reduction
–Transportation and parks impact fees, utility system
development charges (utility hook-up fees), and land use review
and building fees.
•September 2019: ADU Review 2.0
–Eliminated the CUP, reduced/increased maximum unit size,
flexible parking options, leniency for accessory building to ADU
conversions, etc. AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
BACKGROUND
•Pre-Approved ADU program
–Available to residential property owners
–Contracted architect to develop ADU base plans
•General Staff Review
AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
ADU HEIGHT INCREASE
1.Pre-approved ADU base plans: Allow the wall plate height of ADUs and carriage
house units to exceed the wall plate height of the primary residence by 4’.
–Proposals to exceed 4’ would require a modification.
2.Customer produced ADU and carriage house proposals: Allow ADUs and carriage
house units to exceed the wall plate height of the primary residence.
–All proposals would require a modification. AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
CALCULATING UNIT AREA
3.Allow applicants to deduct the total area comprised by internal stairs from the
total unit area.
–All proposals would require a modification
AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
CALCULATING UNIT AREA, GARAGES
4.Include garages when calculating
total unit size, except for when
all of the living area is located
above the garage.AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
GARAGE & ACCESSORY BUILDING CONVERSIONS
5.Clarify that garage and accessory buildings proposed for accessory
dwelling conversion are ineligible if they were expanded following the
adoption of the code provision that exempted conversions from certain
development standards.AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1.Pre-approved ADU base plans: Allow the wall plate height of ADUs and carriage house units to
exceed the wall plate height of the primary residence by 4’.
2.Customer produced ADU and carriage house proposals: Allow ADUs and carriage house units to
exceed the wall plate height of the primary residence.
3.Allow applicants to deduct the total area comprised by internal stairs from the total unit area.
–All proposals would require a modification
4.Include garages when calculating total unit size, except for when all of the living area is located
above the garage.
5.Clarify that garage and accessory buildings proposed for accessory dwelling conversion
are ineligible if they were expanded following the adoption of the code provision that
exempted conversions from certain development standards.AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
•Planning Commission Public Hearing
•September 16, 2020
•Planning Commission Deliberation and Recommendations
•October, 12, 2020
NEXT STEPS
AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
Katie Buchl-Morales
kbuchl-morales@rentonwa.gov
P: 425-430-6578
QUESTIONS/STAFF CONTACT
AGENDA ITEM #1. f)
DOCKET #182:
SEPA APPEALS
Planning Commission Briefing
September 2, 2020
Presented by: Jill Ding, Senior Planner
425-430-6598
jding@rentonwa.gov AGENDA ITEM #1. g)
PROPOSAL
1.Amend the Environmental Review appeal
language to allow administrative appeals
regarding SEPA (State Environmental Policy
Act) actions to the Hearing Examiner,
consistent with other Type II land use
decisions.AGENDA ITEM #1. g)
BACKGROUND
Started in 2001 for projects in the downtown and expanded to the Sunset Area in 2011
This proposed ordinance would reinstate the SEPA administrative appeal process
to the Hearing Examiner by reverting to the code language for SEPA appeals that
was in effect prior to Ordinance 5902.
The SEPA appeal language was changed in Ordinance 5902 on
12/10/2018, to remove the administrative appeal process related to SEPA
actions.
This change has complicated the process for the public and for City staff. AGENDA ITEM #1. g)
PROPOSAL
1.AMEND THE SEPA APPEAL LANGUAGE TO ALLOW FOR
ADMINISTRATIVE SEPA APPEALS TO THE HEARING EXAMINER.AGENDA ITEM #1. g)
Public Hearing:
September 16, 2020
NEXT STEPS
Staff Contact:
Jill Ding, Senior Planner
425-430-6598
jding@rentonwa.gov AGENDA ITEM #1. g)
#D-183 OTHER GOVERNMENT
FACILITIES
Planning Commission Briefing
September 2, 2020
Angie Mathias
amathias@rentonwa.gov AGENDA ITEM #1. h)
BACKGROUND
•The City’s table of permitted uses has a section called
Other Community and Public Facilities
•Under this category of land uses there are uses like
cemeteries, social service organizations, and city
government offices.
•There is also a use titled “Other government offices
and facilities”.
•This use is permitted as a Hearing Examiner Use in
all zones (Resource Conservation (RC) –Urban
Center (CN)AGENDA ITEM #1. h)
BACKGROUND
•“GOVERNMENT FACILITIES, OTHER: Facilities of any
unit of county, state, federal, or special district
government.
•Types of facilities include community centers, vehicle
and drivers licensing offices, public works
maintenance facilities, courts of law, school support
facilities, and other types of county, state, school
district, special district, or federal facilities.
•This definition excludes offices, jails, parks, transit
centers, park & rides, sewage treatment plants,
schools, municipally owned golf courses or airports,
and libraries.”AGENDA ITEM #1. h)
BACKGROUND
•Staff have identified two issues related to this item:
•Offices and other facilities are very different in
function, and they are excluded in the other
government facilities definition
•The uses listed as examples of other government
facilities have varied impacts on the community
•Specifically, maintenance facilities use large
trucks AGENDA ITEM #1. h)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
•Define Other government offices, put in use table and
allow in the same zones and with same conditions as
General offices
•“The administrative offices of any level of
government, where there is no direct provision of
services to the public.”
•Allowed in all commercial and industrial zones AGENDA ITEM #1. h)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
•Remove Maintenance shops from the other
government facilities definition
•“Types of facilities include community centers, vehicle
and drivers licensing offices, public works
maintenance facilities, courts of law, school support
facilities, and other types of county, state, school
district, special district, or federal facilities. Unless,
the use is otherwise identified in the use table”
•The remaining uses are all very similar. People visit
the facility and engage in some “business”.
•Staff recommend removing this as allowed in low and
medium density residential zones AGENDA ITEM #1. h)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
•Define Other government maintenance facilities.
•A facility used by a government agency other than the
City as a place to maintain the equipment and
facilities of the public agency, it may also include the
storage of materials used by the agency in
maintenance.
•Allow in medium and heavy industrial zones
AGENDA ITEM #1. h)
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS
•City staff -Angie Mathias
email -amathias@rentonwa.gov
phone -425.430.6576
AGENDA ITEM #1. h)
Planning Commission Public Hearing
September 16, 2020
Planning Commission Deliberation &
Recommendation
September 30, 2020
NEXT STEPS
AGENDA ITEM #1. h)